How Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal Series Updates the Beloved ’70s Thriller

As a movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the silver screen world, I must say that Eddie Redmayne never ceases to amaze me with his versatility as an actor. From wizards to physicists, and now assassins, he truly embodies each character he portrays with such conviction. The Day of the Jackal on Peacock is yet another testament to his talent.

In the enchanting world of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you’ve witnessed Eddie Redmayne as a whimsical wizard with an affection for magical creatures. On the other hand, in The Theory of Everything, he portrayed ALS-stricken physicist Stephen Hawking, earning him the prestigious Oscar for Best Actor. Now, prepare yourself to witness a different side of Eddie Redmayne, as a meticulously trained assassin disguised in various identities, in Peacock’s fresh take on The Day of the Jackal series, with the initial five episodes now available for streaming.

In Ronan Bennett’s adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel “Day of the Jackal,” the story is updated with a contemporary twist. The original tale about an assassin hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle in 1963 has been replaced by a new target: divisive far-right politician Manfred Fest, who aims to become the next German chancellor. Redmayne’s character, known as Jackal, successfully carries out a sniper hit on Fest and then finds himself tasked with assassinating tech billionaire Ulle Dag Charles (played by Khalid Abdalla). This job offers him the financial freedom to retire, but it also brings him into conflict with British intelligence agent Bianca Pullman (portrayed by Lashana Lynch), leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse that may impact not only their lives, but those of many others.

The story has been reimagined for the big screen twice before, with the first adaptation being in 1973 under the direction of Fred Zinnemann. In this version, Edward Fox portrayed the character known as “The Jackal,” while Michel Lonsdale played his counterpart, a Parisian police detective. This film received praise for its faithful adaptation of the book’s plot. The second attempt was Michael Caton-Jones’ 1997 movie titled The Jackal, which featured Bruce Willis as an unnamed assassin tasked with eliminating the First Lady of the United States. This version deviated more from the original and didn’t receive as positive a reception as the first adaptation.

A contemporary update

How Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal Series Updates the Beloved ’70s Thriller

The main storyline of Forsyth’s novel, which revolves around the OAS’s attempts to assassinate de Gaulle as a response to his support for Algerian independence from French colonial rule, was particularly significant when the book was first published. However, unlike that historical context, the TV show primarily explores contemporary political themes. The series seems to touch upon class conflict, but it remains ambiguous what exact message it’s trying to convey about its tech magnate character who is planning to release a software called River, intended to make every financial transaction globally transparent. Given Musk’s growing involvement in international politics, the relevance of this portrayal to the real-life Musk is uncertain.

The series introduces both the Jackal and his new Black female counterpart from M16, who is also an operative, with personal and familial issues that intertwine with their professional lives. According to executive producer Gareth Neame, this approach was necessary for a long-form series like ours, as the original characterization of the Jackal as a mysterious figure wouldn’t be engaging enough over ten episodes. To enrich the narrative and develop the character, we decided to give him a family background. In our adaptation, while maintaining an enigmatic quality, the Jackal’s family is introduced, raising questions about how he manages his life as an international assassin with a wife and family who are unaware of his true profession.

An overlong narrative

How Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal Series Updates the Beloved ’70s Thriller

The television series “Peacock’s Day of the Jackal” has received mostly positive feedback, boasting an 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 71 score on Metacritic. However, a recurring critique amidst the accolades is that the season, consisting of ten episodes, seems excessively long for the story being told. Compared to the original 1973 film which runs for approximately two and a half hours, the series introduces multiple subplots and delves into intricate details of an assassin’s everyday tasks and police investigations to stretch out the runtime.

Even if you’re a fan of spy thrillers, the captivating central chase and the complex dynamics between its morally ambiguous protagonists should keep you engaged, perhaps overshadowing any minor issues. The next five episodes will be released weekly every Thursday, culminating in a double finale on Dec. 12.

2024-11-15 01:06